Weekly Grocery Budgeting Tips, Basil Pesto, Garlic Planting & Winter Squash

Chelsea Stolte
3 days ago
4 min read

Welcome to October!

This month has still been a bit different for us as we are budgeting meals around the cow we have in our freezer. We have dabbled in some seafood, chicken and squash that is definitely notable for savings still.

I know it sounds easier said than done. If you need help budgeting, check out this FREE DIY Daily Planner & Budget Sheet.

Basil Pesto

Has your basil hit the end of it's life for fall? Don't let it go to waste! Cut it all down and bring it into the house. One large basil plant with all of its leaves removed should give you approx 6-8 oz of ground up pesto. Pretty much what you would see at a store, jarred.

Winter Squash

There are plenty of squash choices out there. I will list my favorite here below. All you need is to bake in the oven at 400 F for approx. 45-60 minutes and add some butter / salt / herbs. These are easiest to find if you are not near farmland. Sometimes they will have exotic squash, definitely pick some up - ask to make sure it is edible!

Spaghetti Squash
Acorn Squash
Butternut Squash
Pumpkin

Some things to note since this is a budgeting blog.... if you are getting local squash.. SAVE YOUR SEEDS! Clean them off, leave out to dry for like a week on a paper towel and store in a cool dry dark place (an envelope).

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Plant Your Garlic - October 15th!

If you haven't already pop over to Keene Garlic and order yourself a beginner kit. I just planted 4 rows!

As we transition into the fall, it's time to think about your garden. Here are some seeds to plant:

Kale
Spinach
Lettuces
Beans
Snap Peas
Cauliflower (1" tall seedlings)
Cabbage (1" tall seedlings)
Root Veggies (beets/turnips)
PLANT YOUR GARLIC HEADS! I ordered mine from Keene Garlic. Look for a 5% coupon online!

Get a Zone 5 or 6 Garden Planting Zone Planner for yourself here:

Zone 6 Vegetable Planting Schedule

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Zone 5 Garden Planner

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Let’s dive into the sales for this week. This is for my local folks in the tri-state area of Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Maybe some of my fellow Virginia friends will find this helpful too!

Food Recalls: Stay Informed 10.15.2025 Update

It's time to discuss food recalls. Here’s the latest list of recalls. There have been concerning spikes in lead levels in our food. Stay vigilant!

Ben's Original Long Grain Rice - Contaminants such as small stones reported within the rice (Who doesn't like a little crunch with their squishy rice?)
Raw Bistro Frozen Beef Dog Food - Salmonella
Foodynamics Freeze Dried Pet Treats - Salmonella
Sprouts Smoked Mozarella Pasta Salad - Listeria
Fusia Asian Inspirations Veggie Spring Rolls - Shrimp Contaminant / Allergy Risk
Snopac / Delmar Spinach - Listeria
Durra Ground Cinnamon - Lead (check list as there are over 10 products being recalled)
Multiple Brands of Mozzarella and Pasta Salads - Check your store for recalls
Nature's Own Bully Treats - Salmonella
**Always check the FDA's full list for previous and still active recalls.

Grocery Savings: Maximize Your Budget

Now, let's talk about notable SAVINGS! This week, I’m focusing on Sam's Club to see if there are any additional deals. Treat your grocery shopping like diversifying your funds for a safe return.

In-Season Fruit and Veggies

Base your meal prep around seasonal savings. For example, APPLES are in season! Fall and winter squashes are also in season. These squashes have a great shelf life. Keep them cool and dark, and you can store them for at least a month! You can even pressure can squash like butternut. Just be sure to do it safely. One of my favorite home-canned meals is Butternut Squash & Pork Soup.

Couponing Tips (Updated 10.15.2025)

Save A Lot has a membership program now! Make sure you sign up to continue getting the best deals you can!

Save A Lot: (same sales as last week) They usually have a few days of break until the next sale. Try another store for savings! Now Downloadable in a PDF.